Greater Sarasota Chamber Invites Community to Celebrate America 250 at the 2026 Grand Expo

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Greater Sarasota Chamber invites the community to attend the 2026 Grand Expo: America 250 – Celebrating Business, Innovation & Community on Thursday, August 27, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Robarts Arena. This free, family-friendly event will bring together more than 80 Chamber member businesses for an evening of networking, discovery, and celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that has shaped America for 250 years.

Open to the public with free admission and free parking, the Grand Expo offers attendees the opportunity to connect with local businesses, discover new products and services, enjoy complimentary light bites from local restaurants, enter to win door prizes and raffle items, and complete the popular Expo Passport for a chance to win exciting prizes.

Those who pre-register to attend will also be automatically entered to win an unforgettable Tampa Bay Rays experience. One lucky winner will receive four tickets to the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox game on Sunday, September 20, featuring premium seating in The Baldwin Group Club. The prize includes leather-padded seats along the first base line, an all-inclusive buffet with featured entrées and ballpark favorites, complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks, a parking pass, and access to one of the ballpark's premier hospitality experiences.

This year's patriotic theme, America 250: Celebrating Business, Innovation & Community, honors the nation's 250th anniversary by recognizing the innovation, resilience, and community partnerships that continue to drive local businesses forward. Exhibitors are encouraged to embrace the theme through creative booth displays, with the opportunity to win the Best America 250-Themed Booth competition.

"The Grand Expo is one of our community's premier business showcases and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the businesses that make Sarasota such a vibrant place to live, work and grow," said Heather Kasten, President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber. "Whether you're looking to support local businesses, discover new services, or make valuable connections, this event truly demonstrates that your business belongs here."

The event is presented by Mike Douglass Plumbing and is made possible through the support of sponsors including Observer Media Group, Tommy's Express Holdings, and PopStroke Sarasota.

Chamber members interested in exhibiting can reserve a 10' x 10' in-line booth for $545 or a corner booth for $595. Booth registration is exclusive to Greater Sarasota Chamber members. Businesses interested in becoming Chamber members to participate as exhibitors are encouraged to contact Membership Investment Manager Zach Henkel at [email protected].

The Greater Sarasota Chamber's Grand Expo continues to serve as one of the region's largest business networking and community showcase events, bringing together local businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and residents for an evening dedicated to strengthening connections and supporting Sarasota's thriving business community.

For more information, to pre-register, register as an exhibitor, or learn more about attending, visit SarasotaChamber.com.

Event Details

2026 Grand Expo: America 250 – Celebrating Business, Innovation & Community
Thursday, August 27, 2026
4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Robarts Arena
3000 Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34237